Wee Theam Tew was one of Singapore's leading Chinese pioneer in the legal practice. He comes from a family who have resided in Singapore for three generations. His grandfather, Mr Wee Theam Soo came from China and together with Mr Lim Boon Keng's father and Cheang Hong Lim's father, acquired the first opium farm in Singapore.
Wee Theam Tew joined a commercial firm and rapidly progressed from a shipping clerk and after that a storekeeper to Messrs. MacAlister and Co. Attracted to the legal profession, and through the financial generosity from his benefactor, Mr Gan Eng Seng made it possible for him to be enrolled into Lincoln's Inn and called to Bar in 1897.
He was very sociable and was a member of the Singapore Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club during the time when Mr Lee Choon Guan was president and Dr Lim Boon Keng and Sir Song Ong Siang were members. He was also a committee member of the Straits Chinese British Association in 1901 during the time when the President was Mr Tan Jiak Kim. He was also a Sergeant in the Singapore Voluntary Infantry prior to leaving for Peking. Wee Theam Tew used to own the house in No 17 Armenian Street which was bought in 1910 by the "Sugar King", millionaire Oei Tiong Ham of Semarang for $11,000 who then donated the land for the building of Toa Nan School (and later Peranakan Museum).
In 1910, he was charged with perjury and criminal breach of trust with false statement in a 1909 case involved Tan Lian Chye (Tan Chor Lam) during the time when Wee Theam Tew was acting for the trustees of the estate of the late Tan Tye and criminal breach of trust with regards to $25,000 land transactions (No 390 and 391) at Tiong Bahru.
Debarred and struck off the roll after being found guilty of 2 charges of perjury and sentenced to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment for the first offence. While being imprisoned, he stood trial for his second offence. He was found guilty and further sentenced another 2 years.
Three daughters: Wee Guat Lian, Wee Guat Choon, Wee Guat Mui.
His wife, Mrs Wee Theam Tew (Madam Tan Bee Choo / Madam Tan Buay Choo) died on December 13, 1939 at the age of 68 (tomb list her age as 72) at 49-A Emerald Hill. She left behind two sons, ( Wee Chye Hin, Wee Chye Hoe ) 4 daughters, 18 grandchildren (including Tan Hock Chuan), 1 son-in-law, 2 daughter-in laws. Her tomb is located in Hill 4 Section C, plot 1787
So far from the readings of past articles, especially this article where Wee Theam Tew's brothers were called to be witness to the case, gave me some insight on Wee Theam Tew's family. If any of you reading this article have further insights, feel free to leave a comment or email me.
Mother: Goh Tek Neo
(No details).
Brother: Wee Theam Seng
Mr Wee Theam Seng is a well known personality. He was the oldest Straits Chinese Christian and Manager of the Chinese Commercial Bank. He died on April 11, 1950 at the age of 82, leaving behind:
1 son and 1 daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs Wee Chye Hin,
6 daughters:
Miss Wee Yew Neo ( Mrs Kwa Siew Tee )
Miss Wee Swee Neo (Mrs Yeo Chiang Swee)
Miss Wee Inn Neo (Mrs. Gaw Khek Siew)
Miss Wee Ek Neo (Mrs Gaw Khek Chiew)
Miss Wee Kim Sian ( Mrs Lauw Pek Tjin )
Miss Helene Wee (Mrs Tan Chin Tuan).
His only son, Mr. Wee Chye Sin by name bears similarity to the name listed on Mrs Wee Theam Tew's obituary and the tomb as well. I wonder if they are the same individual and possibly Wee Theam Tew's son adopted by Wee Theam Seng.
Half brother: Wee Theam Beng
[still researching]
Mr Wee Theam Tew. (1902, August 14). The Straits Times, page 4
S.V.I orders. (1902, August 22). The Straits Times, page 2
Help for educators. (1910, January 12). The Straits Times, page 6
Alleged Perjury. (1910, March 4). The Straits Times, page 7
Barrister Charged. (1910, March 4). The Singapore Free Press, page 8
Wee Theam Tew case. (1910, March 31). The Straits Times, page 10
Wee Theam Tew case. (1910, April 1). The Straits Times, page 7
A mysterious mortgage. (1910, October 15). The Straits Times, page 7
The Assizes. (1910, November 2). The Singapore Free Press, page 5
Wee Theam Tew case. (1910, November 3). The Straits Times, page 7
The assizes. (1910, November 3). The Straits Times, page 8
Wee Theam Tew sentenced. (1910, November 5). Weekly Sun, page4
Monday. January 21, 1918. (1918, January 21). The Singapore Free Press, page 58
Death. (1934, December 14). The Straits Times, page 2
Articled men who became lawyers. (January 22, 1935). The Straits Times, page 7
Death. (1950, April 12). The Singapore Free Press, page 12
A Life to Remember (Education) [website] Lim Boon Keng: A Life to Remember
Wright, Arnold (1908). Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources. Graham Brash, pages 634
Song, O.S. (1984). One hundred years history of the Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press, pages
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| Wee Theam Tew |
Dr. Lim Boon Keng and Gan Eng Seng connection
Educated locally and a former student of Raffles Institution where he excelled in English and Chinese literature. It was also documented, Wee Theam Tew gave much encouragement and help to a student by the name of Lim Boon Keng. While at Raffles Institution, he met Wee Theam Tew, who owned a large collection of English books. The young Lim Boon Keng would often go over to Wee's house after school where he was given free run of the Wee family library. His regular visits to the Wee family home and his own voracious reading turned Dr. Lim Boon Keng into an outstanding student and Singapore's leading leader. (and that is another interesting story in itself)Wee Theam Tew joined a commercial firm and rapidly progressed from a shipping clerk and after that a storekeeper to Messrs. MacAlister and Co. Attracted to the legal profession, and through the financial generosity from his benefactor, Mr Gan Eng Seng made it possible for him to be enrolled into Lincoln's Inn and called to Bar in 1897.
The rise and fall of the Prominent Lawyer
Returning from London, he worked he work for a short stint as an Advocate and Soliciter before taking up the position as Secretary for the Prince of Su, Military Governor of Peking and Minister to the Emperor in 1904. That stint was short and the following year, he returned to Singapore as a Barrister. He repaid Gan Eng Seng back in kind by working hard in the Board of Trustees of Gan Eng Seng School to encourage the Straits Settlement Chinese to support the school. He was also a Municipal Commissioner that served in the Municipal Board as elected member of Rochore Ward in 1901. His office was at No 1 Change Alley. Mr Seow Poh Leng once worked as a clerk in his firm before moving to becoming the General Manager of Ho Hong Bank.He was very sociable and was a member of the Singapore Chinese Weekly Entertainment Club during the time when Mr Lee Choon Guan was president and Dr Lim Boon Keng and Sir Song Ong Siang were members. He was also a committee member of the Straits Chinese British Association in 1901 during the time when the President was Mr Tan Jiak Kim. He was also a Sergeant in the Singapore Voluntary Infantry prior to leaving for Peking. Wee Theam Tew used to own the house in No 17 Armenian Street which was bought in 1910 by the "Sugar King", millionaire Oei Tiong Ham of Semarang for $11,000 who then donated the land for the building of Toa Nan School (and later Peranakan Museum).
In 1910, he was charged with perjury and criminal breach of trust with false statement in a 1909 case involved Tan Lian Chye (Tan Chor Lam) during the time when Wee Theam Tew was acting for the trustees of the estate of the late Tan Tye and criminal breach of trust with regards to $25,000 land transactions (No 390 and 391) at Tiong Bahru.
Debarred and struck off the roll after being found guilty of 2 charges of perjury and sentenced to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment for the first offence. While being imprisoned, he stood trial for his second offence. He was found guilty and further sentenced another 2 years.
Death
Failing health and illness eventually led to Wee Theam Tew's death in January 19, 1918 at the age of 52 ( he died a few months after being admitted to the lunatic asylum ). Wee Theam Tew is buried in Lao Sua. On his tomb, are the name of his sons. Wee Chye Hin, Wee Chye Huat, Wee Chye HoeThree daughters: Wee Guat Lian, Wee Guat Choon, Wee Guat Mui.
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| Wee Theam Tew |
Family
Wife: Madam Tan Bee Choo/Tan Buay ChooHis wife, Mrs Wee Theam Tew (Madam Tan Bee Choo / Madam Tan Buay Choo) died on December 13, 1939 at the age of 68 (tomb list her age as 72) at 49-A Emerald Hill. She left behind two sons, ( Wee Chye Hin, Wee Chye Hoe ) 4 daughters, 18 grandchildren (including Tan Hock Chuan), 1 son-in-law, 2 daughter-in laws. Her tomb is located in Hill 4 Section C, plot 1787
 |
| Madam Tan Bee Choo (Mrs Wee Theam Tew) |
Mother: Goh Tek Neo
(No details).
Brother: Wee Theam Seng
Mr Wee Theam Seng is a well known personality. He was the oldest Straits Chinese Christian and Manager of the Chinese Commercial Bank. He died on April 11, 1950 at the age of 82, leaving behind:
1 son and 1 daughter-in-law, Mr and Mrs Wee Chye Hin,
6 daughters:
Miss Wee Yew Neo ( Mrs Kwa Siew Tee )
Miss Wee Swee Neo (Mrs Yeo Chiang Swee)
Miss Wee Inn Neo (Mrs. Gaw Khek Siew)
Miss Wee Ek Neo (Mrs Gaw Khek Chiew)
Miss Wee Kim Sian ( Mrs Lauw Pek Tjin )
Miss Helene Wee (Mrs Tan Chin Tuan).
His only son, Mr. Wee Chye Sin by name bears similarity to the name listed on Mrs Wee Theam Tew's obituary and the tomb as well. I wonder if they are the same individual and possibly Wee Theam Tew's son adopted by Wee Theam Seng.
Half brother: Wee Theam Beng
[still researching]
Location of tomb
Wee Theam Tew's tomb is located at Lao Sua
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| Wee Theam Tew |
Mrs. Wee Theam Tew nee Madam Tan Bee Choo's tomb is located in Block 4 Section C, plot 1737
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| Mrs. Wee Theam Tew nee Madam Tan Bee Choo |
References
Prince Chun. (1901, July 31). The Straits Times, page 2Mr Wee Theam Tew. (1902, August 14). The Straits Times, page 4
S.V.I orders. (1902, August 22). The Straits Times, page 2
Help for educators. (1910, January 12). The Straits Times, page 6
Alleged Perjury. (1910, March 4). The Straits Times, page 7
Barrister Charged. (1910, March 4). The Singapore Free Press, page 8
Wee Theam Tew case. (1910, March 31). The Straits Times, page 10
Wee Theam Tew case. (1910, April 1). The Straits Times, page 7
A mysterious mortgage. (1910, October 15). The Straits Times, page 7
The Assizes. (1910, November 2). The Singapore Free Press, page 5
Wee Theam Tew case. (1910, November 3). The Straits Times, page 7
The assizes. (1910, November 3). The Straits Times, page 8
Wee Theam Tew sentenced. (1910, November 5). Weekly Sun, page4
Monday. January 21, 1918. (1918, January 21). The Singapore Free Press, page 58
Death. (1934, December 14). The Straits Times, page 2
Articled men who became lawyers. (January 22, 1935). The Straits Times, page 7
Death. (1950, April 12). The Singapore Free Press, page 12
A Life to Remember (Education) [website] Lim Boon Keng: A Life to Remember
Wright, Arnold (1908). Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources. Graham Brash, pages 634
Song, O.S. (1984). One hundred years history of the Chinese in Singapore. Singapore: Oxford University Press, pages
Fantastic work! I am researching my Peranakan family tree and although I am not related to the people you write about, I really appreciate the thoroughness of your work. Like you, I have found myself taking pictures of tombstones (in Melaka) for valuable information - something I never thought I would do. Keep up the good work! Suzanna
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzanna for the kind words of encouragement.
ReplyDeleteMany many thanks for sharing 👍
ReplyDelete